Barber Lonnie Hodges doesn’t want to see any more suffering in his family or in his community of Jackson Park. Cicero mom Diana Hernandez longs for her sons to have a “normal” childhood again. Registered nurse Mia Webster-Cross of Harvey simply wants to go back to church. Those are a few of the reasons given by Cook County residents for why they will get the COVID-19 vaccine, which are captured in a new public awareness campaign launched called “My Shot.” A collaboration of Cook County Government, Cook County Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health, the $1.2 million campaign is data-driven and rooted in the principles of equity to encourage people who may be reluctant to get vaccinated, especially among the county’s most vulnerable communities. The most hesitant age group were Cook County residents ages 18-34. Health, protection and family were the top reasons given for wanting the vaccine, while concerns about side effects were volunteered most often as the reason not to get vaccinated. The campaign is part of a larger joint effort to ensure equitable distribution of the coronavirus vaccine in Cook County. In addition to the Cook County Health sites, the Cook County Department of Public Health has distributed vaccines to more than 145 partner locations including Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s and Walgreens along with Federally Qualified Health Centers and hospitals. A complete listing of these sites can be found at www.cookcountypublichealth.org.